Author Topic: Feeling uncomfortable while parking at Walmart in Kansas City! (Read 20489 times)

Campfire RV · « **on:** July 03, 2013, 10:37:34 PM »

We stopped at several Walmart parking lots on our trip across country so far and felt just fine at each one except Kansas City. When we arrived it was 9pm and the parking lot had very few cars and no RV's. Within ten minutes of parking, a car parked two spaces in front of us and the woman looked really suspicious. She stayed in the car sitting up and kept looking over at our RV and when she saw me she would look back down. She was parked there looking suspicious the entire time. I just didn't feel comfortable because why did she have to park right in front of me way out at the far end of the parking lot all by ourselves.

Well, after about two hours I finally decided to drive off and find another Walmart about thirty miles down the road where we found about five other RV's parked.

Have you ever parked in a parking lot for the night and just didn't feel comfortable for some reason?

Dougie Brown · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2013, 11:21:43 PM »

Not many, but had a few drug deals done right beside us (RV provided cover) plus an amorous couple who decided the parking space two along from us (in an otherwise-empty massive car park) was where they wanted to rock 'n roll.

That was quite interesting for the first 5 minutes, but became quite boring thereafter.

Only time I had to sit up until the wee small hours was in Thunder Bay, Canada where four inebriated teenagers had some jolly fun by running up & over the hoods, roofs & trunks of cars. That was, until the parked-up refrigerated semi driver came out his truck & dealt with them appropriately.

Dougie.

SeilerBird · « **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2013, 05:40:08 AM »

In my ten years of full timing I spent hundreds of days overnighting in a Walmart parking lot and never once did I feel unsafe. Yes I have seen drug deals in a Walmart parking lot, but I don't consider that a problem. Those people are not interested in me at all. I have seen people sitting is their car looking "suspicious", whatever that means. And in every case it turned out to be a Walmart employee taking a break or a spouse of a Walmart employee waiting for the partner.

I just can't believe that anyone would think "I am going to go commit a crime, I think I will go sit in a Walmart parking lot and look for someone to rob." Yeah, great idea. Walmart parking lots are well lit, usually busy, full of video surveillance cameras, and many have security guards. And in all the years I have been reading this forum I have never once read of someone being attacked, raped, robbed or murdered in a Walmart parking lot.

Dougie Brown · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2013, 10:53:27 AM »

Quote from: SeilerBird on July 04, 2013, 05:40:08 AM

I just can't believe that anyone would think "I am going to go commit a crime, I think I will go sit in a Walmart parking lot and look for someone to rob." Yeah, great idea. Walmart parking lots are well lit, usually busy, full of video surveillance cameras, and many have security guards. And in all the years I have been reading this forum I have never once read of someone being attacked, raped, robbed or murdered in a Walmart parking lot.

Jeff · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2013, 11:46:31 AM »

We have done exactly what you did once on the south side of Indianapolis when we had a bunch of cruisers hanging out next to us around 10:00PM.

We drove over to Camping World in Greenwood and spent a relaxing night.

Tom remember the RVer who shot the man who came into their RV in Las Vegas a few years ago?

Chelonian · « **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2013, 12:56:34 PM »

Quote from: Campfire RV on July 03, 2013, 10:37:34 PM

She stayed in the car sitting up and kept looking over at our RV and when she saw me she would look back down. She was parked there looking suspicious the entire time. I just didn't feel comfortable because why did she have to park right in front of me way out at the far end of the parking lot all by ourselves.

It's possible she was mentally unwell?

Where I live the local park has this unsettling "tradition" of people driving there and just parking their vehicles (cars or pickup trucks) and just sitting in them, even on nice days. It creeps me out. Get out, walk in the world, feel the breeze, smell the grass, see the river. Walk. Cars are for moving, not sitting in (unless you are a police officer on a stakeout, I guess). If you want to sit in a vehicle, get an RV!

Quote

Well, after about two hours I finally decided to drive off and find another Walmart about thirty miles down the road where we found about five other RV's parked.

Although you were probably most comfortable around other RVs and advanced your trip 30 mi anyway, maybe next time consider moving your RV to another section of the same parking lot; if the woman follows you there, then you know something weird is up.

1joester2 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2013, 01:14:14 PM »

Whenever we make Walmart stays, we always inquire directly to the manager not only asking permission, but if there is a preferred place to overnight.

We have been asked to reconsider overnighting due to hoodlum activity, and we take the managers' recommendation seriously. We too have driven another 25-30 miles late at night.

Advice if that situation repeats itself...
Make like you are calling the police, and focus on the license plate. Make sure the occupant sees your lips describing the vehicle, plate number, ect... maybe even a photo with your phone and make like you sent it.

Bet that situation resolves itself clearing the way to move elsewhere.

Just Lou · « **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2013, 01:42:47 PM »

Quote

Advice if that situation repeats itself...
Make like you are calling the police, and focus on the license plate. Make sure the occupant sees your lips describing the vehicle, plate number, ect... maybe even a photo with your phone and make like you sent it.

Great idea!...... $:-\$

.....or...... you could just walk up to the car and say; "it's really none of my business what you are doing here, but I have a pretend picture of your car and license and pretended to send it to the police, so if you were going to shoot me, I hope I've scared you into moving on.

Nah!! I like the driving away idea better.

Dougie Brown · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2013, 01:44:40 PM »

Quote from: Just Lou on July 04, 2013, 01:42:47 PM

Great idea!...... $:-\$ .....or...... you could just walk up to the car and say; "it's really none of my business what you are doing here, but I have a pretend picture of your car and license and pretended to send it to the police, so if you were going to shoot me, I hope I've scared you into moving on.

Now that's just being silly.

Dougie.

Tin man · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2013, 01:49:22 PM »

I like the idea of paying the local campground owner $30.00 or more and help put his children to collage or help towards his retirement.

I can get a good nights sleep and ready for the next day......

Jim

Dougie Brown · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2013, 01:51:22 PM »

We like doing that too, and also sometimes like to accept Walmart's hospitality after spending hundreds of dollars with them.

Horses for courses (although perhaps a little off-topic).

Dougie.

wincom6 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2013, 02:01:45 PM »

We stopped at a West Chicago Walmart and I was really tired. Right away I noticed that the parking lot was used by groups of young people as a shortcut. They were coming and going in large groups, talking loud and although they were doing nothing wrong I just was to nervous to get any rest. We continued on into Ohio and stayed at a rest stop. I have never had a problem but that may have something to do with being careful.

Staying at Campgrounds are getting very expensive, I took the G-kids to Florida. We needed to stop 2 nights each way. KOA charged $44 to $58 for one night. All I wanted was 30 Amp no other hook up. I wanted to arrive late and leave early. I'm going to find a cheaper way to stop for the night. There is a time for Walmart and a time to pay but it should not be the same price as someone staying 24 hours.

Just Lou · « **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2013, 02:13:46 PM »

Quote from: Just Lou

Great idea!...... $:-\$ .....or...... you could just walk up to the car and say; "it's really none of my business what you are doing here, but I have a pretend picture of your car and license and pretended to send it to the police, so if you were going to shoot me, I hope I've scared you into moving on.

Nah!! I like the driving away idea better.

Quote from: Dougie Brown on July 04, 2013, 01:44:40 PM

Now that's just being silly.
Dougie.

Geeze.. Dougie, you've got a great eye for the obvious.

Dougie Brown · « **Reply #13 on:** July 04, 2013, 02:20:05 PM »

I do not bad at irony too.

Dougie.

Just Lou · « **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2013, 02:45:44 PM »

Quote from: Dougie Brown

I do not bad at irony too.

or... I don't do bad at irony, either

~~Strange~~ Ironic, how we circle the barn in opposite directions yet arrive back at the same location $:-\$

1joester2 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 04, 2013, 03:30:51 PM »

Quote from: Dougie Brown on July 04, 2013, 01:44:40 PM

Now that's just being silly.

Dougie.

Silly is when you break out the dress up costumes and invite them in... wait... that might be an effective way to drive them off too!

NY_Dutch · « **Reply #16 on:** July 04, 2013, 03:38:25 PM »

Over the years, I've pulled into a few parking lots or rest areas that "just didn't feel right". I just figured that's one of the advantages of having an RV with wheels, and headed on down the road to a more amenable location.

ArdraF · « **Reply #17 on:** July 04, 2013, 03:58:09 PM »

The key is keeping situational awareness by having your eyes open and utilizing your street smarts. If you see something that makes you uncomfortable, then it's time to leave and go elsewhere. Follow your instincts.

ArdraF

odie1234 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 04, 2013, 04:28:28 PM »

I had the pleasure (??) of serving in local county government during a protracted zoning struggle over a proposed new Wal-Mart. One of the big arguments against the new store was crime rates in Wal-Mart parking lots. Those against tend to cite articles like this one http://www.jrrobertssecurity.com/articles/wal-mart-parking-lot-crime.htm. Our local sheriff's department felt he would need a 20% increase in deputies to cover the increased coverage needed to handle WM incidents. The reality is probably that WM parking lot crime is not as prevalent as the antis would have us believe, but because they are 24 hour a day operations with limited security and lots of opportunity, they do attract unsavory people. In our case, the new WM was approved, and crime rates increased substantially in the area. The sheriff's budget has risen to accommodate his needs to react.

According to my leo neighbor, rvs in big box store parking lots make his job harder as people up to no good can use the large rvs and trucks parked in the lot overnight to hide behind. IMO, the above comments about situational awareness are appropriate. Campgrounds are probably safer, but if your goal is convenience and lower cost, it may be worth the slight additional risk. The decision to use parking lots is a personal one.

gc1966 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 18, 2013, 08:37:17 AM »

Quote from: Campfire RV on July 03, 2013, 10:37:34 PM

We stopped at several Walmart parking lots on our trip across country so far and felt just fine at each one except Kansas City. When we arrived it was 9pm and the parking lot had very few cars and no RV's. Within ten minutes of parking, a car parked two spaces in front of us and the woman looked really suspicious. She stayed in the car sitting up and kept looking over at our RV and when she saw me she would look back down. She was parked there looking suspicious the entire time. I just didn't feel comfortable because why did she have to park right in front of me way out at the far end of the parking lot all by ourselves.

Well, after about two hours I finally decided to drive off and find another Walmart about thirty miles down the road where we found about five other RV's parked.

Have you ever parked in a parking lot for the night and just didn't feel comfortable for some reason?

I usually keep an AK47 or AR15 in my RV and a .45 in the console beside me (I have a ccw) and I have yet to feel uncomfortable anywhere

NY_Dutch · « **Reply #20 on:** August 18, 2013, 09:34:49 AM »

Quote from: odie1234 on July 04, 2013, 04:28:28 PM

According to my leo neighbor, rvs in big box store parking lots make his job harder as people up to no good can use the large rvs and trucks parked in the lot overnight to hide behind. IMO, the above comments about situational awareness are appropriate. Campgrounds are probably safer, but if your goal is convenience and lower cost, it may be worth the slight additional risk. The decision to use parking lots is a personal one.

My LEO nephew sees it as just the opposite. He thinks the more occupied vehicles such as RV's in a parking lot, the lower the crime risk due to the additional eyeballs potentially witnessing the activities. One local police chief even made that point at a building permit hearing for our new Super Wally when an area campground owner tried get no RV parking included as a condition of the permit.

driftless shifter · « **Reply #21 on:** August 18, 2013, 10:03:00 AM »

Maybe the woman, in the original post, was also an exhausted traveler. Maybe she parked nearby for the added safety of presumably normal people nearby.
Bill

ndaugbjerg · « **Reply #22 on:** August 18, 2013, 10:27:38 AM »

gc1966,
I'm an NRA Life Member and support your right to be prepared to defend yourself. However, I'd be more comfortable camped next to you if you would leave the AK and AR in your gunsafe and bring a reliable pump shotgun instead. I don't think the bit of fiberglass, foam and veneer in the wall of my RV will stop a 7mm round. Your first shotgun round will have me wide awake so I can grab my shotgun and cover your back. Much prefer that to bleeding out in my queensize.
Thanks,
Niels

gc1966 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 18, 2013, 01:23:20 PM »

Quote from: ndaugbjerg on August 18, 2013, 10:27:38 AM

gc1966,
I'm an NRA Life Member and support your right to be prepared to defend yourself. However, I'd be more comfortable camped next to you if you would leave the AK and AR in your gunsafe and bring a reliable pump shotgun instead. I don't think the bit of fiberglass, foam and veneer in the wall of my RV will stop a 7mm round. Your first shotgun round will have me wide awake so I can grab my shotgun and cover your back. Much prefer that to bleeding out in my queensize.
Thanks,
Niels

Seriously, I usually only carry a 45.. but I have thought about the shotgun.. Thanks for having my back, I will have yours too.

catblaster · « **Reply #24 on:** August 18, 2013, 01:34:52 PM »

Thinking back to the original post, has anyone considered the woman may not have bad intent but parked there for her own security thinking it would be safe close to a big RV than being isolated elsewhere in the parking lot.

Tracelf · « **Reply #25 on:** August 18, 2013, 02:55:24 PM »

Hi Josh

I think situational awareness is incredibly important and good for you for trusting your instincts and moving on when it didn't feel right

Irover · « **Reply #26 on:** October 23, 2013, 08:50:36 PM »

As with anything if it don't fell right don't do it!

Magicshuman · « **Reply #27 on:** February 02, 2014, 11:33:05 PM »

Quote from: gc1966 on August 18, 2013, 08:37:17 AM

I usually keep an AK47 or AR15 in my RV and a .45 in the console beside me (I have a ccw) and I have yet to feel uncomfortable anywhere

Thats great as long as you don't drive thru CA or NY or CO or IL and a few more I don't know of. In fact, I was wondering what to do if I wanted to go into CA. It is my understanding that having them unloaded and locked up is not good enough. You are not allowed to have a "large capacity" magazine in your possition. And , of course, forget Canada or Mexico .

Believe it or not, this is one of my biggest concernes about going full time. I have been legally carring concealed for 40 years. I have only pulled my weapon twice, and never have had to discharge it. Thats one of the reasons I like the 1911. Both time I have pulled a gun, it had little effect, but when I cocked that hammer back the young men left the area.

BTW- I don't have a black rifle- I have a short barrel long mag-tube 12 gage. I have often said that any perp will hear that sound a pump makes when loading a round, and if he has ANY brains, he will look somewhere else.

So do you just avoid some states?

halfwright · « **Reply #28 on:** February 03, 2014, 01:38:51 AM »

You said in 40 years, you have pulled your gun twice. Then, the odds are very good that you will not have to pull it in the next 10.
When you do and the young men leave the area, you can put it away and leave also. I am not overly concerned with the gun laws because I do not plan on shooting anyone. If I do, it will be to stay alive. I will not shoot anyone in the defense of property. I have carried a gun for 21 years and will continue to do so. And, I will take it into any state I travel in. It will stay where it is now, in a cabinet by my door. The police have better things to do than searching an old fat man's fifth wheel.

John From Detroit · « **Reply #29 on:** February 03, 2014, 07:19:34 AM »

Quote from: Campfire RV on July 03, 2013, 10:37:34 PM

Have you ever parked in a parking lot for the night and just didn't feel comfortable for some reason?

NO,, but I have pulled into a parking lot and decided, before I even shut the engine off.. that I wished to park elsewhere for the night. And thus.. I did.

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Author Topic: Feeling uncomfortable while parking at Walmart in Kansas City! (Read 20489 times)